5 Ways To Keep Your Heart Healthy
It's actually not necessary to have a high-intensity workout to be healthy. Low-intensity activities done for a longer amount of time, such as bowling, walking the dog or any other physical activity, can also help.
3. Eat healthyWe all know that eating greasy, fatty, cholesterol-laden food is bad for your heart, whereas eating fiber-rich grains and fresh fruits and vegetables is good for your health. But there's more to helping your heart.
Remember that it may take three to six months to see a reduction in cholesterol after changing your diet (although some people see results in as little as four weeks).
Eating right is also important for maintaining a healthy weight — being overweight is one of the risk factors of heart disease. This is because obesity increases high blood pressure, raises your blood cholesterol level (and as a double whammy, also lowers the "good" HDL cholesterol level) and can even cause diabetes and stroke.
4. Get regular checkupsSeeing your doctor for a physical on a regular basis can help ensure that any problem with your heart is diagnosed early, when it has the best chance of being treated and cured.
You should get your blood pressure checked at least once every two years, and your cholesterol level at least once every five years. Of course, if you are at risk of developing heart disease — because of family history or a congenital heart abnormality — you should see your doctor as often as required.
5. Take your vitamins and supplementsAlthough not a substitute for eating right and exercising, taking supplements can help you maintain a healthy heart.
Look for supplements such as Anchor Health's Yourheart Nutrients, which contain the plant phytosterols recommended by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Panel to help lower cholesterol levels; coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which can help prevent plaque formation in blood vessels and help reduce high blood pressure; and hawthorn berry, which is commonly prescribed in Europe to increase blood flow to the heart and improve its functions.
have a healthy heartAvoid an "all or nothing" mentality when it comes to changing your eating habits and exercise level — you can start slow, but start making changes today. Even moderate exercise can help reduce the risk of heart disease.
Remember that keeping your heart healthy starts with yourself. It's ultimately up to you to control what you eat, how much you exercise, whether you regularly see the doctor for a checkup, and whether you want to take heart-healthy vitamins and supplements. With these tips, you can help prevent heart disease down the road.
How Your Heart Works
How Heart Disease Works
How Diagnosing Heart Disease Works
www.mayoclinic.com - Prevent heart disease
www.mayoclinic.com - High cholesterol level